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Disinfection and Disinfestation
(a) General
Whilst it is the experience of the Department that vermin infestation is
decreasing, the public are becoming more conscious of other insect pests and the
advice of the Inspectors is often sought to identify the insect in question and to
help in its eradication.
Disinfection of wards in a number of hospitals continued.
816 rooms were disinfected after cases of infectious or other disease.
A total of 717 rooms were treated for vermin, of which 286 were disinfested
free of charge. The majority of free cases were on behalf of elderly or infirm
persons.
The Council continued to make a charge of 7/6d. for the first room and 5/d.
for every additional room treated for verminous conditions.
The effects of 118 families were treated with D.D.T. as a precautionary measure.
In addition, one static water tank was treated for fly infestation.
The Public Health Inspector paid 55 visits to a factory to supervise the treatment
of 377 bales of stockings or other materials for export. The total weight of
bales treated was 155 tons 1 cwt. 0 qrs. 19 lbs.
(b) Steam Disinfection
3,700 articles of clothing or bedding were subjected to steam disinfection.
(c) Fly and Other Infestations
Anti-fly treatment at Ashburton Grove Depot commenced on 30th April and
continued during the summer months.
Complaints continued to be received concerning wasps nests and the disinfestation
staff dealt with a number of cases during the year.
The infestation of the Council's housing estates by red clover mite increased
during the year and appropriate action was taken to keep this to a minimum.
Static water tanks, air-raid shelters, bombed sites, etc.
Complaints continued to be received in relation to the tipping of refuse,
accumulation of water and other nuisances occurring in static water tanks and on
bombed or vacant sites in the borough. By arrangement with the Council's
Cleansing Superintendent putrescible matter was removed by his department upon